.NET Data Types in MATLAB

Data conversion, pass data between MATLAB^® and .NET

When you call a .NET method or function, MATLAB automatically converts most primitive MATLAB arguments into .NET types. To pass an array of strings, use the cell function. To pass arrays of other MATLAB types, use the NET.createArray function. You cannot pass structure arrays, sparse arrays, or complex numbers to .NET methods.

MATLAB automatically converts primitive .NET return types to equivalent MATLAB types, if they exist. To convert a System.String object, call the char function. If the .NET function returns an array, before using the data in a MATLAB command, use the corresponding MATLAB numeric function for rectangular arrays, or the cell function for jagged arrays. To convert a MATLAB dictionary to a corresponding .NET object, call the NET.createDictionary function.

Functions

`NET.createArray`	Array for nonprimitive .NET types
`NET.createDictionary`	Generic .NET Dictionary (Since R2023a)
`NET.disableAutoRelease`	Lock .NET object representing RunTime Callable Wrapper (COM wrapper)
`NET.enableAutoRelease`	Unlock .NET object representing RunTime Callable Wrapper (COM wrapper)

Topics

Pass Data to .NET Objects
MATLAB converts method arguments into .NET types.
Handle Data Returned from .NET Objects
Mapping C# .NET types to MATLAB types.
Pass Numeric Arguments
MATLAB automatically converts .NET numeric data to and from equivalent MATLAB data.
Pass System.String Arguments
Examples using System.String arguments.
Pass Cell Arrays of .NET Data
Tips for working with contents of nested System.Object arrays in MATLAB.
Read Cell Arrays of Excel Spreadsheet Data
This example for Microsoft^® .NET Framework shows how to convert columns of Microsoft Excel^® spreadsheet data to MATLAB types.
Pass System.Enum Arguments
Examples using System.Enum arguments.
Pass System.Nullable Arguments
This example shows how to handle .NET methods with System.Nullable type arguments, whose underlying value type is double.
Pass Jagged Arrays
This example shows how to create a .NET jagged array of System.Double using the NET.createArray function.
Convert Nested System.Object Arrays
This example shows how to use the cell function to convert data in nested System.Object arrays.
Use Arrays with .NET Applications
MATLAB automatically converts arrays to .NET types, as described in the MATLAB Primitive Type Conversion Table.
Convert .NET Arrays to Cell Arrays
Use the cell function to convert System.String and System.Object arrays to MATLAB cell arrays.

Troubleshooting

Limitations to Support of .NET Arrays

.NET features not supported in MATLAB.